According to the researcher, the Forest Movement protesters are trying to change attitudes towards the use of natural resources.
Metsähallitus’ logging in the Aalistunturi area of Lapland continues despite protests.
– Often, nature conservation has focused on defending one particular place in nature that is considered irreplaceable,” says Nykänen.
For example, the last logging in the Aalistunturi logging area in Kolari was ten years ago.
Now the protestors’ goal is not just the protection of one forest area. Activists of Metsälikuen say that they defend not only the forests of the Aalistunturi area but also the diversity of Finland as a whole.
Not everyone is enthusiastic about stopping work in the economic forest
Logging in Aalistunturi is part of modern forestry, and according to Metsähallitus, the area is treated in accordance with normal forest management guidelines.
Protesting and disrupting logging operations in a commercial forest area can arouse more negative opinions in some people than traditional activism aimed at nature conservation.
– It may be that it is more difficult for some people to have a positive attitude towards it than protecting an irreplaceable primeval forest by means of civil disobedience, Nykänen says.
Primeval forests are untouched or nearly untouched forest areas in their natural state.
– It feels pretty absurd. That area is such that 40-50 years ago it was completely cleared, Metsävainio recalls.
Activists want to change attitudes
Researcher Tapio Nykänen estimates that, in addition to the forests in the Aalistunturi area, the protesters are trying to change the attitude of Finns towards economic forests. The goal is to bring an even larger part of them under protection.
According to Nykänen, it is possible that a new attitude towards natural resources is emerging among the young generation. He describes Metsälikuken’s demonstration in Lapland and Elokapina’s demonstrations, which mainly take place in the capital region, as \”an expression of very strong existential anxiety\” among young people.
– This is one thing that I will follow as a researcher for the next few years, where we are going.
Activists and some locals also want to protect the forests of the Aalistunturi economic forest area.
National park presentation at the ministry
About two years ago, a group of local people took the initiative for wider protection of the Aalistunturi area. They have proposed establishing a 10,000-hectare national park around Aalistunturi. The initiative is being processed by the Ministry of the Environment.
Metsähallitus has stated that it will not take a position on the presentation about the national park.
– What else is this but a statement that they are now beating there, Askonen says.
Askonen says that the state should intervene. He believes that the national park would increase the area’s appeal both for tourists and as a place to live.
– Why would I come here if I wasn’t interested in nature, says returnee Askonen.